Page 136

“And the money?” Dimitry asks.

I shrug. “That part was true enough. I hid it in Colombia, somewhere nobody will ever find it. But Rodrigo doesn’t care about the money. He makes more cash in a week than what’s in that bag. It’s never been about the money for him. It’s a reputation thing, always was. Nico and I stole from Rodrigo, and we got away with it. In his world, that is simply unacceptable.”I meet Dimitry’s eyes. “Just like it is in yours,” I say quietly.

He doesn’t try to argue. He knows I’m right.

“When we were on the river,” I say, “and you told me your plan, it gave me an idea. Will you listen to it?”

Dimitry withdraws his hand from the nape of my neck and reaches for his cigarettes, face grim. “Not if it includes anything about you walking into that fucking compound again, I won’t.”

Dammit.I wasn’t expecting him to be enthusiastic about my ideas, but nor did I expect outright rejection, especially given the afternoon we’ve just had.

“Dimitry,” Leon interrupts calmly. “Let’s maybe listen first, before diving in with the hard line,da?”

Dimitry glares at the older man like he might just hit him across the room. Leon, to his credit, stares straight back at him like Dimitry would have a fight on his hands if he did.

I sit on the daybed and hope like hell it doesn’t kick off.

Finally, Dimitry’s eyes narrow. “I’ll listen,” he says tightly. “But if your idea involves anything that will put you in danger, Abby, then I reserve the right to draw that fucking hard line the minute you’re finished speaking.” He pins Leon with a stare that would make most men run a mile in the opposite direction. “And while I’m grateful for your help, friend, interfere in this and we’re done. Clear?”

Leon nods, his mouth twitching slightly. “Crystal,” he says lightly.

He’s a difficult man to dislike.In an odd way, he reminds me of Mak, who Dimitry’s introduced me to a few times now. They both share a good dose of charm, a certain elegance, and a faint air of amusement that implies they find the world around them perpetually entertaining. Then, every so often, you get a glimpse beneath the suave demeanor and realize they’re both as deadly as hell.

Which isn’t a bad thing, given what we’re about to walk into.

“You said that so far nobody knows you exist.” I look at Dimitry. “You’re right, of course. They don’t—or not yet, at least.”

I take a deep breath.Here we go.

“And if Rodrigo and I return to the compound together, you will keep that advantage. For as long as you need to be able to plan this properly.”

The silence that follows is tense enough to strain a fucking fence.

I don’t dare look at Dimitry.

I don’t need to.

I can almost physically feel his effort to rein in whatever furious tirade is running through his head.

Eventually, he says just one word.

“No.”

It’s no less than I expected, but the flat negative feels more definitive than a tirade.

Dimitry crushes out his cigarette. “You said you needed to make some inquiries.” He addresses Leon coldly, not even looking at me. “How did you go with that?”

You have to be fucking kidding me.

Leon’s eyes shift between me and Dimitry. He doesn’t bother trying to answer, which, given how pissed off I am, is a wise choice.

“That’s it?” I glare at Dimitry. “You’re not even going to hear me out? I thought we agreed we were in this together.”

“We’re not discussing this, Abby.” He still isn’t looking at me. “Jacey has every reason to kill you, and not a single one to let you live. Those are not odds I’m prepared to even contemplate.”

“Erm.” Leon clears his throat as he stands, though the bastard still looks slightly amused. “I’ll leave the two of you to discuss this among yourselves.” Without waiting for ananswer, he heads into the house, closing the door diplomatically behind him.

“You’re wrong, Dimitry. You don’t know him like I do, which is why wearegoing to discuss this.” I fold my arms, glaring at his averted face. “Last night, when you told me your plan, do you know what my first instinct was? No,” I go on, when he starts to speak, “it wasn’t actually a question. My first instinct was to meet with this Leon friend of yours myself, then find a way to convince him that I was right and go back into the compound behind your back.”